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7 - Worried
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
A Billionaire's Bargain 8 - Feelings
Zayn's PovFreya's image, tangled in the arms of another man, burned behind my retinas. How long I stood here, frozen in disbelief, was lost to me. A hand clasped my shoulder, a grounding touch that ripped me from the daze. It was Louis."Hey, you alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face.The question hung in the air, 'Am I okay?' I pondered. My fingers raked through my hair, tugging at the strands as if to dislodge the image that clung to my mind. A tightness constricted my chest, squeezing the air from my lungs, the veins in my neck bulged.I wanted to break something, it had taken a lot of self control not to cause a scene in the bar, I wanted nothing more than to break the man's nose and take her back home with me."Yea, I'm good."Mark looked on, he said nothing but he eyes looked far in thoughts."I'm going to head home now." I shook both their hands, I needed to be alone."Are you sure you are good?" Mark finally found his voice. "I can drive you home."I smiled gratefull
A Billionaire's Bargain 9 - Growth
Zayn's PovI stared at her as she opened her mouth but said nothing, my eyes followed the moment of her throat as she swallowed hard.She bent her arms at her back, hiding the pharmacy bag behind her as she took few steps away from me, the sharp click of her heels echoing against the floor."I thought I saw something dart under your car."Her eyes blinked, her long eyelids fluttering rapidly as she did. Liar."Pray tell, what was it you thought you saw?" I took a step towards her and she took one back."A mouse." She blurted.Really?. A smirk danced around my lips as I advanced towards her."A mouse, in my parking lot? Then it seems I need to find new set of janitorial staff. They clearly aren't taking their rodent problem seriously.""No, no, please, don't do that." Her hand shot out from behind her back in a desperate plea, then retreated just as quickly. The bag crinkled as she clutched it tightly. With every step I took towards her, she took another back, until her back was press
A Billionaire's Bargain 10 - Catching Up
Zayn's Pov"My man, where you at?" Caleb's voice boomed from the other end of the phone, he sounded excited. I ignored his use of slangs as I responded."I'm out, why?""Nothing, just that I stopped by your house and you ain't home, it's been a while and I wanted to catch up with my brother."I signed heavily. I have missed Caleb and his usual jokes and pranks. During our family meeting three months ago, he had said he was going on a business trip and would be away for a few months.I am enjoying my time with Araceli and didn't want to end it, but I have also missed my brother. Her gaze was focused on the lake, while she chewed on a slice of pizza."Wait for me bro, I will be home soon." "No problem, I will make myself comfortable and at home."I rubbed my temples with my fingers, "Don't go close to my bottles of henri jayer richebourg Caleb.""I would never." I can imagine him placing a palm on his chest as he swore not to do something I'm sure he has already done. I rolled my eyes
A Billionaire's Bargain 11 - Missing Her
Zayn's PovI didn't talk much about Freya to Caleb, I only hinted at him my suspicions of her cheating and me still being in the dark of who her partner is.He was clearly intoxicated, slurring his words, and in no state for a serious conversation.Honestly, even if he were sober, I wasn't sure I was ready to fully voice my concerns about my wife's possible infidelity, I didn't feel comfortable talking about it.It's been two weeks since that conversation with Caleb and I haven't spoken to Araceli.All I have done is yell out orders to her, send her emails to attend to and contracts to look into.She had knocked on my door on the first day, a smile on her face as she walked in. I could tell she felt more comfortable around me because of the time we spent together the previous night at my property. Her eyebrows had raised a noticeable arch at my tone while addressing her, she had seem confused at first, but had quickly adjusted to my behaviour. I have to admit I was surprised with how
A Billionaire's Bargain 12 - Mr Jealous(18+)
Araceli's PovI crossed my arms under my boobs as I stared at the man on the chair, his devilishly handsome face sat in a slight smirk, his hair was a bit tousled, he was still clothed in the suit he had wore to the office. His eyes held mine as I glared at him, how dare him show his face here? For two weeks, he has treated me with nothing but comtempt and anger, it was like the night we spent together didn't mean anything to him, I knew it was just dinner and a night of fun, but i had thought we made a little progress with our friendship.I swallowed heavily my throat weighed with the heavy feeling of anger and pain. The night we spent at his property had meant a lot to me and I had thought that it meant something to him too.Aside anger, I also felt a longing to seat on his thighs, run my hand through his hair, know what is on his mind, and the reason he had blocked me out.I wanted to know him, even more, I desired to know this mysterious man, to truly know all of him.I cleared m
A Billionaire's Bargain 13 - Bestfriend's Tea
Araceli's PovI wrapped my arms around neck, singing louding to the song playing from the home theater, with my hairbrush as a microphone. My voice filled the living room as I danced around, picking up clothes and straightening the mess scattered everywhere.I walked back and forth to my bedroom, organising the items in their designated position.My cheeks hurt so much from blushing, my thoughts were filled with the memory of my time with Zayn. I bite my lips trying to contain my smile, the thought of how his hands felt on my body had goosebumps appearing on my arms.I sat on the marble kitchen island, my legs dangling as I focused on my imagination, day dreaming about him.My phone notification dinged from the coffee table, I turned to glare at the device that had caught my day dreaming short.I hopped off the kitchen island, mumbling a few unpleasant words as I reached for the phone.Hey girl, I will be with you in two hours, kinda got stuck at the hotel.I rolled my eyes at the te
A Billionaire's Bargain 14 - Club Rendezvous
Araceli's Pov Clothes lay strewn on the bed and floor, a battlefield of discarded jeans, t-shirts, sweatpants, hoodies and dresses. I stood in the center of it all, arms crossed defensively as I stared at the shimmering silver dress Rilly held up triumphantly."Come on, Araceli," Rilly pleaded, her voice dripping with mock despair. "This night needs a little sparkle! Can you imagine Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome's friend swooning over you in that oversized sweatshirt again?"I rolled my eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "First of all, stop calling him that. Second, I highly doubt that his friend will be paying any mind to me tonight, regardless of what I wear." I tugged my oversized sweatshirt down my thighs, "It's not like I want his friend to notice me anyway."I picked up a gown from the floor, it was my first choice of clothing for the night, but apparently, Rilly had complained about the dress having too much of a length to it."Maybe not impressed," Rilly co
A Billionaire's Bargain 15 - Office Saga
Araceli's PovThe cool night air hit my skin like a punch as we exited the club, the bouncers held the lady firmly, her loud voice still raining curse words on Louis who said nothing, his sole focus on Rilly. The atmosphere was a bit tense and we were all quiet.Zayn walked besides me and Louis walked with Rilly, a reasonable space between them. I looked at my bestfriend, her silence spoke volumes, her face, a mask of confusion and simmering anger. I let out a breath, but said nothing to her as I knew she wouldn't appreciate me hovering around her at this moment. She obviously felt ridiculed.Zayn rubbed his thumb against the back of my palm, I dipped my head in acknowledgement of his silent support.We got to the car park and a gasp escaped Rilly's lips, the woman, had left her mark not just on Louis, but on his expensive car. A long scratch ran across the body of the black Maybach S-Class, marring it's beauty."Man, this lady is crazy." Zayn spoke, his voice low."Good thing she di
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A Billionaire's Bargain 53 - The Quiet Aftermath
Zayn's Pov I nudged the bedroom door open with my shoulder, carefully balancing the tray in my hand. The scent of basil and tomatoes filled the air as I stepped inside, where Araceli sat propped against the headboard, her laptop on her thighs, her eyes puffy and tired. “Special delivery,” I said, setting the tray down on the nightstand. She glanced at the bowl, her lips quirking into a faint smile. “What’s this?” “Minestrone,” I said, straightening up. “Made it myself. Every chop and stir done with love.” Her eyebrows shot up, and for the first time all day, a teasing glint appeared in her eyes. “With love, huh? Are you sure it wasn’t the chef who made it? Because this looks too perfect to be yours.” I smirked, grabbing the spoon and holding it out to her. “You wound me, mi amor. After all the effort I put in preparing this master delicacy, this is the thanks I get?” She chuckled softly, the sound a little raspy from her earlier vomiting. “I will believe you when
A Billionaire's Bargain 52 - Coffee and Chaos
Araceli's Pov I tugged at the hem of Zayn's sweatshirt, peeking out the window as Rilly’s car rolled into the driveway. She wasn’t even out yet, but I could already hear her chatter through the windshield, loud, unapologetic, and very much needed after everything that had gone down these past few months. The car door slammed shut, and in seconds, my best friend was at the door. I barely managed to open it before she tackled me into a hug. “Look at you!” Rilly said, pulling back just enough to scan my face. “You are glowing. And don’t you dare tell me it’s the tears from last week’s funeral, this is man glow, Ara. Admit it.” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the grin forming on my lips. Rilly always had a sense of dark humor. “It’s moisturizer. Stop making stuff up.” “Yeah, sure,” she teased, tossing her purse onto the couch as she walked in. “That moisturizer sure made you this much of a star. My best friend is hot gossip, trending on every damn media platform. ‘Wh
A Billionaire's Bargain 51- A Gift
Zayn's POV Ultra texted earlier. Cryptic as ever, he claimed he had leads on the media circus surrounding Araceli, insisting it had to be discussed in person. Typical. Instead of sending an email or making a simple phone call, he wanted me to drive halfway across the city. But Ultra wasn’t normal. Brilliant? Yes. Strange? Absolutely. And exactly the kind of person I needed in my corner right now. The café was quiet when I arrived. Dim lighting, soft jazz playing in the background, a perfect cover for a discreet meeting. Black shades shielded my face. The media was still buzzing with my name, and I wasn’t in the mood to give them more fodder. Ultra sat at a corner table, his laptop open, blue light illuminating his sharp, almost hawkish features. Surrounding him was an array of gadgets and wires that made his table look like a tech shrine. He didn’t even glance up when I approached. “Mr. Vanderbilt,” he greeted, fingers flying across the keyboard. His voice carried that usual d
A Billionaire's Bargain 50 - Family Feud
Zayn's Pov My phone buzzed, shattering the quiet tension of my office. Louis’s name flashed across the screen. "Man, have you seen the news?" His voice was tense, almost breathless. I frowned, reaching for my tablet. "No. What’s going on?" "Just… check it," he said, the urgency clear. Then he hung up. I opened the tablet, and there it was, headlines plastered across every news outlet, my face at the center of it all, larger than life. A viral circus of headlines scrolled across the screen, each one worse than the last. Billionaire Zayn Vanderbilt's Baby Mama Drama Secrets Unveiled: Divorce, Cheating, and a Mysterious Stripper Lover Tragedy Strikes: Did Zayn Vanderbilt Murder His Brother's Child? Blood Feud: The Vendetta Between Brothers Vanderbilt. I clenched my jaw, a bitter taste settled on my tongue as I took it all in. They had managed to pull Araceli into this, dragging her through the mud alongside my name. I hadn’t wanted this for her, any of it. I reac
A Billionaire's Bargain 49 - Investigation
Zayn's Pov I sat back on the couch as Araceli rested her head on my thigh, talking about the twins, she was dressed in one of my shirts, her flawless legs stretched out on the cushions, my fingers running through her hair. "They want a dog," Araceli said, smirking. "Kamila has this whole plan mapped out, food schedules, playtimes, she thinks it’ll teach them responsibility." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Last I checked, Kamrin’s terrified of the neighbor’s poodle. Are they ready for that?" "She says he’s only scared because he hasn't had a dog of his own." She laughed, leaning closer. "Kamila's convinced you will say yes if they push hard enough." "They know my weaknesses too well," I murmured, pulling her close. "But they will have to try harder than puppy eyes and promises." The quiet between us feels warm and intimate. I’m about to tell her just how much these moments mean to me when a sudden, sharp crash sounds from outside the penthouse door, followed by muffled voice
A Billionaire's Bargain 48 - In The Woods
My phone buzzed on the passenger seat as I turned down the winding road leading toward the house. It was my wife. I picked up, her soft voice slipping through the speaker, wrapping around me with that warmth only she could bring. “Did you get the milk, babe?” My lips curled in a smile, this time, I didn't foret. “Yeah, I got it, I also have you bag of chips with me." In the rearview, I could see my son, earbuds in, staring at the game on his phone without a care in the world. “I will be home soon love.” I hung up, but another message pinged almost instantly. The name that flashed on the screen wasn’t one I’d wanted to see. Freya. I think I’m miscarrying Caleb, it's...the baby. I need help please, I'm in pain. I stared at the text, my pulse kicking up, frustration and dread colliding. We hadn’t talked much since Zayn finding out about our affair, I had told her to lay low, but that was just my way of gradually cutting her off. I didn't want her having a child for me,
A Billionaire's Bargain 47 - Her Anchor
Araceli's Pov (A lengthy chapter) The soft morning sun drapes over the penthouse, dressed in a loose silk set, I moved from the sink to the stove. Today, I decided on a light breakfast, a spread of grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and crispy fried mushrooms, topped with just a sprinkle of herbs. Suddenly, familiar arms snake around my waist, pulling me back into a firm embrace. I gasp as Zayn’s fingers find my sides, tickling me, and I squirm, letting out a laugh that he silences with a gentle kiss, his lips brushing against mine in a way that leaves me warm all over. I catch sight of the maids moving around the kitchen, a wave of embarrassment hitting me as I try to pull back, searching for a bit of space. But Zayn holds me closer, sensing my urge to retreat. “Don’t,” he murmurs, voice low near my ear. “Let them look if they want.” One maid quietly sets a plate on the counter, glancing between us before quickly looking away, hiding a small smile as she turns back to h
A Billionaire's Bargain 46 - My Girl
Zayn's Pov A quiet knock sounded at my office door. Aaron stepped in, holding a flash drive between his fingers. “Sir, here’s the drive you requested, I'm sorry I couldn't get it across to you last night." He said, placing it on my desk like it might shatter if he held on too long. Aaron is one of my most hard working staffs, so I knew he had put his best foot forward in delivering this drive to me. I nodded towards a seat and he sat down, his eyes darting between the drive and my face. I leaned back, eyeing him. “Any leads?” “No, sir,” he admitted. “Whoever is involved is careful, almost too careful. There is no obvious access point or trail… but maybe it’s in there somewhere. If we look hard enough.” “Thanks, Aaron,” I said, grabbing the flash drive. I turned it in my fingers, letting it catch the light. “I will go through this today. Keep an eye on things in the meantime. And Aaron… I don’t want anyone knowing about this yet. If they are as careful as you say, they wi
A Billionaire's Bargain 45 - Unbroken Threads
Zayn's Pov I walked into the house, leaving the day’s tension at the door. Kamrin and Kamila were sprawled on the floor, tangled up in a world of crayons and construction paper, their laughter filling the room like a balm I hadn’t realized I needed. “Daddy!” Kamila dropped her crayon and ran toward me, arms open. Kamrin wasn’t far behind, grinning as wide as his sister. I scooped them up, letting their weight anchor me, grounding me in the simplicity of this moment. No billion-dollar deals, no mole hiding in the walls of my company, no betrayal siphoning ten million away, they all melted away. Araceli was lounging on the couch, casual and at ease in one of my shirts and a blue shorts. This was quickly becoming her favorite thing to lounge in and I definitely enjoyed seeing her in the oversized outfit. I have seen her in those countless times, yet every time, it looked like something fresh. Her head turned slightly, the book she had been reading temporarily forgotten, as she
